The Plastic Ocean Foundation UK was started by Jo Ruxton and Sonjia Norman in 2009. Jo had previously worked for WWF in Hong Kong, where she had met Sonjia and subsequently worked as a film producer for the BBC’s Natural History Unit. Sonjia had always been an ardent environmentalist and living in Hong Kong she had seen first-hand the damage our modern lifestyle was doing to the ocean environment.

Jo was determined to tell the world about the harm our plastic addiction was doing to the marine environment and the possible human costs. She brought in cameramen and TV presenters, such as Sir David Attenborough and Dr Sylvia Earle to help make promotional videos, along with a team of advisers from the worlds of science, business, education and sustainability. The groundwork for ‘A Plastic Ocean’ film and a not-for-profit organisation that could work towards stopping plastic getting into the ocean was taking shape.

The film has been critically acclaimed around the world and is available in a growing number of languages. While continuing to promote the film, the Foundation is now turning its attention to other projects in order to achieve its mission. They are supporting further scientific research and developing educational programs that can be rolled out into schools in the UK and further afield.

They continue to build links with industry, particularly those with close ties to the oceans, to encourage the exchange of best practice, cost and waste reduction methods as well as other activities aimed at reducing our plastic footprint and preventing it getting into the oceans.

The Foundation may not find a solution to this global issue overnight, but they believe that they can change attitudes towards plastic within a generation, which will be a huge step forward.

They need your support to achieve their aims so please look at their ‘get involved’ page and consider making a donation to their charity.